Colts Hold Their Own Against Tough Odds

With plenty working against the odds of a victory in Seattle, the Colts still managed to make a pretty good showing in a 28-13 loss.

Well, it wasn't as bad as it could have -- or maybe even should have -- been.

With half of their starters on defense sidelined, their head coach absent due
to personal tragedy, wide receiver Marvin Harrison watching the game on his
television in Indianapolis, and the rest of the offense playing just two series,
it was almost stunning that the Colts only lost to the NFC's best team by just
15 points.

And at their stadium to boot.

But in the end, the 28-13 score was all that mattered to Seattle, who clinched
home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with the win.

Surprisingly, Colts backup quarterback Jim Sorgi ended the day with more
passing yardage in three quarters than Seattle starter Matt Hasselbeck had in
four. Sorgi completed 22 of 31 passes for 237 yards and a touchdown while
Hasselbeck finished with 17 completions in 21 attempts, 168 yards and two
touchdowns. And Hasselbeck was working primarily against Indy's second-string.
His longest pass completion of the day was 17 yards, while Sorgi completed
passes of 45, 39, and even 26 yards to three different receivers. Hasselbeck was
very effective spreading the ball around though, hitting ten different receivers
to keep the Colts guessing about where he was going every time he dropped back
to throw.

Seattle's defense corralled the Colts running game throughout this game, but
especially once Edgerrin James (13-41) stayed on the sidelines after the first
half ended. Backups James Mungro and Dominic Rhodes couldn't find any running
room against a stout Seattle defense, rushing for a combined 7 carries for -5
yards in the second half.

Meanwhile, Shaun Alexander found gaping holes to run through as Indy's
patchwork defense couldn't seem to get in sync. The NFL's leading rusher rolled
for 139 yards on 21 carries -- and at times with little resistance until he was
into the Colts' secondary. He also scored two touchdowns to tie the all-time
single season record of 27 previously set by Priest Holmes.

However, that second touchdown will certainly be cause for some debate following
this weekend's action. It's likely to be remembered by everyone outside of
Seattle as a bit cheesy since Alexander was re-inserted into the game after
being pulled with just over 5 minutes remaining and the Seahawks leading 21-6.
Following a Sorgi fumble that set up the Seahawks at the Colts' 17, Maurice Morris took the ball on two consecutive carries within inches of a touchdown.
And then, instead of allowing a player who gets limited playing time to finish
what he started, the Seahawks opted to put Alexander in to score the touchdown
and tie an NFL record against a full slate of second-string players.

Wouldn't you think he would have wanted to earn it, and in a bit more
spectacular fashion? It's likely that the decision was made to allow him to tie
it in front of home fans since the Seahawks are on the road for their season
finale. But it was still a cheesy way to tie an all-time record.

Considering the fact that the Colts treated this like a preseason game, there
wasn't much else to complain about outside of the final score, a blocked field
goal in the first quarter by Michael Boulware, and their inability to run the
ball in the second half.

Okay, well maybe one more thing. The Colts weren't able to effectively finish
their drives as the Seahawks clamped down on them three out four times in the
red zone.

But Indianapolis dominated time of possession, had 387 yards of total offense
compared to 332 by Seattle, managed two sacks by their backups -- including one
by a player just promoted from their practice squad a couple of weeks ago,
linebacker Mike Labinjo and the other by Gilbert Gardner who was subbing for
injured linebacker Cato June. And Troy Walters turned in his best performance of
the season returning punts, averaging 25 yards on his two returns.

Walters, who played the entire game for Marvin Harrison, also had 91 yards
receiving on 8 catches, including a touchdown. That's his highest yardage total
since November, 2002 against Dallas. Harrison, who has a slight fracture of his
hand, could have played if necessary, but the Colts opted not to risk a more
serious injury as he's expected to be fine in roughly another week. Colts wide
receiver Brandon Stokley led all receivers with 122 yards on 5 catches,
including a 45-yard catch-and-run late in the game. Stokley came up from that
play limping and didn't return, receiving medical attention on the sidelines.

The Colts (13-2) finish their season at home against the Arizona Cardinals next
week. They'll then have a week off before they host their first playoff game.